Howard County Briefs

Columbia Pro Cantare is holding auditions for all parts for its 37th anniversary season. Works by Bach, Mozart, Verdi, Strauss and Brahms, Handel's "Messiah," Rutter's "Requiem" and music from the British Isles will be performed. To schedule an audition, call 410-730-8549. Information: procantare.org. Regular rehearsals begin Sept. 3 and are held from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesdays at Hammond High School in Columbia.

Kindred Spirits

Kindred Spirits, a social club for people diagnosed with early memory loss or dementia, meets from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in the 50+ Center at the Gary J. Arthur Community Center, 2700 Route 97, Cooksville. Highlights include therapeutic activities, including music, art and exercise, as well as a support group. A daily fee of $30 includes snacks, lunch, coffee and tea. The program is sponsored by the Howard County Office on Aging and the Alzheimer's Association of Greater Maryland. Information: call Judy Miller at 410-313-5441 or email jumiller@howardcountymd.gov.

Recycle old TVs

The Howard County Bureau of Environmental Services reminds residents to recycle electronic devices. Drop-off locations include the Alpha Ridge Landfill Residents' Convenience Area, 2350 Marriottsville Road. The facility is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and accepts TVs, computers, keyboards, printers, scanners, laptops, VCRs, radios and other electronics. Also, Best Buy's Customer Take-Back Program allows customers to bring in old TVs (32 inches or smaller) at no charge. Offer limited to two televisions per person per day. Console televisions are not accepted.

Child advocates

Voices for Children, Howard County's Court Appointed Special Advocate Program, seeks volunteers to train and match to children, up to 21 years old, who are living in foster care. Volunteers must be 21 and pass a criminal background check. Training will be offered from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Mondays for eight weeks beginning Sept. 20 in Ellicott City. For an application and more information, call 410-740-0933 or go to voicesforchildren.org.

Gardening volunteers

The Howard County Conservancy seeks Wednesday morning drop-in gardening volunteers from 9:30 a.m. to noon to help maintain its themed and native plant gardens. All levels of experience welcome. For information, call Tabby Fique at 410-465-8877 or go to hcconservancy.org.

The Howard County Conservancy offers free guided hikes and talks on the second Saturday of each month. Visitors can enjoy an easy walk in the meadows and woods of the conservancy, 10520 Old Frederick Road in Woodstock. Information: call 410-465-8877 or go to hcconservancy.org.